Sentiero Cristallina
Overview
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Distance 43 km
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Duration 10 h
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Ascent 2900 m
Intro
The Sentiero Cristallina links Bignasco in Valle Maggia with Airolo in Val Bedretto. Between them lie steep mountain slopes, a waterfall on a village outskirts, crystalline rock, Alpine lakes/reservoirs, idyllic alps and remote hamlets.
Description
From the typical Ticino mountain village of Bignasco, the trail winds through the stony, deeply-carved-out Val Bavona with its 12 small hamlets. A steep climb leads up past the traditional Basodino Hut to the natural and dammed lakes, which give life to this Alpine area and provide most of the electricity in Canton Ticino, whereas paradoxically, the Val Bavona just below has no electricity.
The sparse mountain meadows along the winding trail to the modern Cristallina lodge are increasingly laced with scree. The imposing and modern Capanna Critallina, with its excellent facilities and room for 120 guests, is located right on the pass, with spectacular views of the Basodino glacier.
The route leads down from the rocky slopes to charming alps and forests. The high-level trail in the Val Bedretto runs through high moorland and affords beautiful views to the Gotthard massif, everything a hiker’s heart could wish for. The goal of the route is reached at the traffic junction of Airolo.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Bignasco
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Airolo
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Ascent |
2900 m
|
| Descent |
2200 m
|
| Distance |
43 km
|
| Duration |
10 h
|
| Multiday route |
3 days
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
June - October
|
| Elevation profile |
2900Meter ascents 2200Meter descents Show elevation profile |
| Theme |
With panoramic view, Over a pass
|
| Signalization |
Signalisation in both directions
|
| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/route59 |
Quick Facts
Route number
Stages: 3